The future is bright, the future is Lilywhite
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 8:47PM I don’t care much for all this talk about how the quality of the Premier League has degraded. Mainly because it’s an excuse for those that struggle with the usual suspects not dominating to deflect attention away from the teams that have grafted for better days. You could argue that the way the Prem lined-up in the past decade or so - as high as the quality was from the 'Top 4' the rest were leagues behind. So for the gap to be closing doesn't necessarily mean that we are all worse off for it. The quality is now spread across like butter over many slices of toast, rather than sitting in a closed tub in the fridge.
The fabled monopoly has cracked and spilled over the marble floor and the rest of us are tap dancing gleefully in it, splashing away without a care in the world. It's not butter in this analogy, rather champagne that's lost its fizz. If it did turn out to be butter, we'd all be falling on our backsides.
So tap-dancing is what we dare to do. And why not? This monumental gap that existed for an age continues to be bridged and it’s no longer anything to be scoffed at when asking if shifts in power are ahead of us. Ahead of us they are, hopefully somewhere in the distance towards the horizon. And the sun is unlikely to go down if you keep reaching for that destination.
But that doesn’t mean we – or anyone else for that matter – should take it for granted on the basis that the likes of Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are lesser sides than they were X amount of years back. For one, they still possess the quality and the experience. They might well still have some buttery taste about them. However, there’s always a cycle, a transition – and we are deep in it at the moment. Here's hoping there is no last tango.
Some of the aforementioned clubs will quite possibly recover and reclaim dominance or a share of it. Others might find themselves in far more modest surroundings. It’s opened up no matter how you care to perceive the quality of the Prem from top to bottom. It's evident that if you show desire and push and run with the ball forwards and onwards…you can stake a claim for it. 'It' being a share (rather than dominance).
Aim high because if you don’t someone else will. This is about self-preservation.
I’m hardly going to apologise for any indignities that other rival clubs are suffering. It’s not my fault, for example, if certain clubs have slowly and subtly over a period of time inherited traits that were once associated with say us. Lack of backbone. Delusions of grandeur. Weaknesses in key areas.
Mortality is a hard pill to swallow. Be careful you don't choke on it.
There is no doubting that Tottenham are in the midst of a transitional season. Actually, scrap season and replace it with chapter. Hopefully one with a splendid ending and ample room for a sequel or two. Unlike the transitions we have had to endure in the past resulting from managerial upheavals, this one is of mind, body and soul. You can’t genuinely progress with intent if you don’t experience and grow as individuals and as a team. No ‘i’ in team, but there’s one in unit. You find resolve and redemption from the harsh reality of failure staring you back in the face, be it across many games or just the one. You dig deep. You believe. You make it happen. And whilst you do, you retain a sense of tradition and identity that does not betrayal the club, its history and the supporters. Swagger, swashbuckle and Spurs.
We don’t just play football. We tug at the heart strings of our fan base, plucking a grand orchestral tune that can roller-coaster between beautiful chimes of delight to dark drums of despair. And somewhere in there we kick the ball around. A lot.
Is it an exaggeration that on our day we can beat anyone? Yes. But there would be absolutely no denying that we can produce performances that not only leave us and neutrals enthralled they beg the question – when and how can we do that week in week out? Why do we show guile when coming back into games from a losing position rather than starting them with a cutting edge and making our lives so much more comfortable from the offset?
The answer might be found somewhere near that horizon we’re moving towards. The real answer is probably because it's Spurs and we don't do ordinary.
We’ve had growth of players and acquisitions which have added a touch of the world class about us. We have a side we can actually compare to others that have for so long played on a completely different level. We’ve eradicated many frustrations that have held us back. But it’s not perfect and reminders to the past still dwell on our minds, sometimes with dizzying effect. It's nothing to worry about unless it once more consumes us. But there are far more positives than negatives.
This season has not been consistent. It’s been erratic. But by no means a step backwards or sideways. With thanks to the supporting case of degradation from those around us. Nobody is quite gripping the neck of the Prem and strangling the life out of the rest.
We are contenders for sure. For what exactly depends on one thing and one thing only. Ignore the rest. Forget about their agendas or issues, their form and their results. Whether they fall or fly it’s no consequence because the only fate we control is our own. We'll be contenders for whatever our points tally adds up to. Don't aim for 4th, 3rd etc - just (it's worthy of a repeat) aim high.
We’re going to get stronger. With or without a clipboard. With our without tactics. This renewed spirit has seen us shatter records and overcome obstacles that have left us broken for so long. The Chelsea hoodoo. The Top 4 impossible mission. And now, home (last season) and away – damaging victories over the enemy. Mental strength stands proud and unnerved. Add to it our scintillating Champions League campaign and the fact that sitting six points off the top after fourteen games is – for some – disappointing, tells you that expectations are high. And why should they be anything different?
We're not competing against history. We are not competing against what the standard of the top tier of the Premier League should be like as opposed to what it is at the moment (a confused herd of inconsistency).
We have a squad, not depleted to the bare bones but missing key players. But we endeavour to cope. With many things. The loss of consistent fluidity because of those missing players and the experimentation from 442 to 451 to 442. Hangovers after our European games. It's a learning curve for us; the princes of pretence percolating with pomp. And with the current landscape of English football being what it is, we’re not doing too badly with said curve. We're adapting. Progressing.
Patience is not an excuse to mask over repeated errors. More consistency will breed much needed momentum which will lead to success. A decade of devolution behind us, we are but just two seasons into an evolution. So be patient. We’ve got the best squad players we’ve had in years (decade or two?). If you really want to look around and watch other squad’s age or implode or fragment, if it makes you more comfortable – go ahead. If you want to be wasting your time.
I’ll be watching Tottenham. Swashbuckling to maturity, strengthening our backbone without ever weakening our traditions and heritage.
That sun, in the horizon. Ain't going down any time soon.
Reader Comments (58)
quality read.really understand the emotions you are extolling
Outstanding mate.
Again, the dogs.
You are my weekly fix.
Nuff said.
COYFS
Patience is something all footie fans lack. Spurs have been crying out for stability for years .Its why we've never got better from one season to the next because we've not had any. Harry has given us that. And look at the difference.
"Arsene Knows".....He He He........COYS
Spellbinding stuff there Spooky. You get this feeling that not a lot can go wrong. We are maturing and we are learning how to step up. Don't disagree we are a way off but Spurs no longer have that champagne Charlie mentality that's always kept us back.
Thought you may all like to know L'Arse lost 2-0
We know. I can hear the tear drops from Islington. It's like a fucking earthquake.
Seemed strange watching the Woolwich vermin tonight, supporting the team in red and white! Let's hope we show them how to win your group tomorrow.
Man, this was one hell of an article! I think I may have even choked up at one point.
If we can come out with a win tomorrow and a Liverpool spanking on the weekend, then our season is about to change for sure! COYS!!!
"Trust Wenger"....LMAO COYS
Perhaps harry can borrow Chris Hughton's clipboard?
Excellent piece. The supposed god-like status of the Champions League 4 was cracked last season and not by every pundit's favourite to do it - but by a club that has invested and fought it's way to the top 4 the right way. This season the emporer's clothes have been truly exposed - Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal may be better but have been exposed as teams containing 11 players: men, not gods.
I do want to debate one sentence though:
"We have a squad, not depleted to the bare bones but missing key players."
Actually I would argue that over the past season and a half we have had a depleted 1st team, on a rotating basis. The thing that Harry has managed so well over the past 16 months is to get great performances out of players who were not 1st string until a player considered 1st string got injured. A few examples off the top of my head over the past 12 months:
Hutton for Charlie
Kaboul for Dawson
Gallas for King
Bale for Niko
Hudd for Wilson
The players in column B were all critical 1st teamers at WHL when they got injured; the players in column A proved such good replacements that they have become critical 1st teamers themselves.
I'll truly believe the tide has turned if and when we beat ManUre.
2 seasons back we were being laughed at by pundits, the media and opposition fans for talking about the CL. Incredible how quickly it's all opened up, for us and others.
Beat Man U at home would be good enough. But at the moment no one can beat them....
Somebody said today: "Roma just TOTTENHAMED Bayern!"
Sweet. Just fucking sweet.
Don't look down Spooks, you stepped off the cliff about three blogs ago.
Harry hasn't given us stability, he is our stability because unlike the last dozen or so managers he has had more than 18months to sort things out.
And he has. God knows how but like the centipede who was asked 'How he could walk with so many legs, its best not to ask. The centipede never walked again.
No sugar daddies or short cuts or putting the 'football' on hold while we get there.
We've done it the right way and we can be proud.
It's been building for several years and I'm lovin it.
Blimey Spooks you got me going now.
This blog is indeed on fire.
Utd fans I speak would agree with the fact that the league is changing. Sky and the hacks tend to write everyone off still writing up the Top Four as though they are miles ahead. Would love to see 3-6 clubs all going for the title. Can you imagine the quality across all the sides? Clubs would not lose their best players because they'd want to stay and fight for the club. Would be a disaster with Sky and their Grand Slam Sundays appeasing the four traditional teams.
Another great read Spooky, always look forward to your posts
On a different note let's all laugh at Arsenal lost 2-0 fab out injured, wenger moaning again just love it.
You are my favourite read by miles, Spooky.
Can't wait for tomorrow!
Nice piece Spooks, but didn't you use this same title for an article back when Big Marty Jol was gaffer?
Awesome article bro! Can see big things on the horizon! I think Kaboul is immense and will become a spurs legend!
Yeah, probably did. I think it's okay to plagiarise from ones self. Although let's forget the irony, what with, you know, how things turned out with BMJ.
DML, thanks for yet another outstanding article. I shall look forward to your next one then. COME ON YOU SPURS and beat Werder tomorrow. :)
Thanks Spooky, that was the nuts! Perfectly encapsulated what I'm feeling at the moment. Even if this is not the dawning of a brilliant white era (it is though, I can't take another false dawn) it's been a heck of a ride already. Just sit back and enjoying the pure entertainment served up by our boys week in, week out.
Pile of arse...... Mugs.
Faty, shouldn't you be crying yourself to sleep? Dream of trophys past.
Good Article
I get the feeling that the media are preparing for a Spurs Premiership title, as it seems that everyone is already saying how weak the league is this year, and should Spurs win it, it will be because everyone else was crap, anything to avoid giving Spurs credit.
Nice One, Spooky. Elequently says so much about what Spurs fans everywhere have been feeling for the past few seasons. COYS!
Spelling's gone to pot!
Football success comes and goes. Once it's gone, it's very difficult to ever recapture. In football history, look at some of the sides who at one time were simply the absolute peak over 2, 3, 4 seasons - Preston, Huddersfield, Man City, Villa, Wolves, Derby, Forest - and then look at them now.
I admire Arsenal - don't like them, but do admire them - for the fact that they've maintained their name over 70-odd years. Man U have really been just a post-war force; Liverpool for 'only' 20-30 years. Without dodgy Russian money, Chelsea will slip back to the obscurity and mediocrity from whence they came.
And Tottenham. Aside from brief recovery blips under Venables and Jol, it's been a 50 year struggle to even start thinking about achieving some former greatness. I do agree, we're on the brink. In the 60s/70s, Bill Nicholson essentially ran the club and as long as the glory nights continued, the board were happy to let him do this. But the Tottenham board alas didn't have the bravery or foresight of ManU or Liverpool, or Arsenal. After Sir Matt and Shankly and Mee, there was no (eventually) Fergie, or Paisley or Dalglish or, (God help us) Graham and Wenger to continue the dynasties. If Bill Nick had had his way and the board had brought in the dream ticket of - was it Blanchflower and Johnny Giles ? - to take over, who knows ? Keith Burky might've been that man - but that was when Tottenham "used to be a football club".
As it was, we had a series of truly awful, awful chairmen/boards with little success blips under Venables and Jol achieved in spite of these dead hands at the helm rather than because of them. Irvine Scholar and co ? Give me a break. The marriage of Levy and Redknapp is one made in heaven. It's been a such a long time coming, you hardly dare hope the moment is finally here, but champions sometime in the next couple of years ? Why not ?
Lovely, OldSpur. Lovely.
Yep, superb.
I had to have a little play with myself half way through that. It's all too exciting. Great read.
I'm not sure that Chis Hughton's clipboard hasn't got
'Property of THFC' stamped on it in any case.
We could just ask for it back.
What a brilliant name for a Newcastle blog.
Or even a Spurs one in the furure.
drwinston001
WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY to much information!
Am I the only one worried about Harry saying that "they can win the title in the next couple of seasons". I'm sure he let that slip. Please tell me it was a minor slip of the tongue. Fabio will be gone soon.
Do you think that as we become more consistent and clinical, the buckle will stop swashing? Watch Chelsea take a team apart and score 4, maybe 5 goals, no excitement or beauty, just clinical robotic effective football. I'm sure with 'Arry we'll be "avin a go" but I hope success doesn't replace buckle swashing. Is it possible to have both? Real Madrid have tried to do it that way, they're a pretty hit n miss outfit really for the amount they spend and the calibre of player they attract. Discuss.
Deadly
I've noticed that too mate.......He seems to choke on uttering the word 'WE'. Harry does stumble and mumble through conversation and constantly stops himself in mid - sentence, It's like listening to a nine year old boy, trying to explain why he has only one shoe, and a black eye, without dropping himself or anyone else in it!
He wants the England job. It's no secret.
Agreed......no secret. . but what's with the them and they !? Surely saying 'we' wont prevent the FA from approaching him will it!? It's almost like listening to a caretaker manager at times...... maybe it's because he hasn't got a contract....I don't know......it's just odd.
Harry out..
Was this in response to what I wrote on another blog?
Not that I would claim to influence your content, just had an alternative slant...
RioSpurs November 22, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Indeed, this seems to be a very rare oasis of constructive opinion around today.
The collapse was very Tottenham of them, nice to be on the winning end for once. Has the balance shifted? No, not yet. Are Tottenham going in the right direction and closing the gap? No question.
Is it us getting better, Arsenal getting worse or just a general degredation in the quality in the premier league? Never mind Tottenham and Arsenal, how many EPL players would get in the starting line ups of Real or Barca? Rooney and Torres on top form, Fabregas, Drogba, maybe Tevez and Gerrard at a stretch? Bale ;-)?
The balance has shifted alright. To the continent, specifically Spain. Without the weakness of the pound and the ludicrous debt some of the clubs are in, it’s unthinkable the likes of Huntelaar, Ribery, Robben, Diarra, Benzema, Ibrahimovic (when he was up for grabs) wouldn’t be playing their trade at Chelsea/Man U rather than Germany, Italy, and Spanish benches 5 years ago. Gone are the days of Chelsea/Man U splashing 35m on a player, so they are now looking at the new, not-quite-as-good generation. Gibson, Macheda, Sturridge, Kakuta etc etc. Talented lads for sure, but no ‘aura’.
The money isn’t there and clubs who’ve grown organically through investment in youth over a number of years are at the front of the queue to take advantage. Lets not forget, had it not been for an inexplicable collapse, Arsenal would be top of the league right now. One, albeit painful defeat, doesn’t mean they can’t go top next week, such is the nature of this season/league.
Tottenham too, with players who’ve been there for 3-5 years and more (Hudd, Mods, Daws, Gomes, BAE, Lennon, Bale, Defoe and Kaboul (with a break)) were assembled for 'relatively' little money and the spirit, priceless, is there between them. Add the extra quality of vdv and one or two more shrewd signings and who knows?
The future’s bright, the future’s lilywhite.
Link me.
http://www.tottenhamblog.com/2010/11/22/arsenal-2-spurs-3-just-funny/
Linkaroo
It's impossible not to wonder what plans are being installed to replace Harry (in a SMOOTH handover) and to which successor. Is there an earmarked 'one', are there several under consideration, or is the matter still speculative and under research? Also, are there any oustanding legal issues that may yet prove impediments to Harry taking over the England job?
It occurs, too, that his potential departure and replacement would take place during a crucial period for the stadium development / re-development. So, at a time of big changes at the club, what impact will there be to individual and collective player-performance and morale? These events would unfold within the context of other changes elsewhere: maybe Fergie will retire, or Wenger quit, or Abramovich sell up, or there'll be unexpected rises and falls in club / PL revenue streams.
As England coach, Harry might be inclined to use tried and tested English players, such as those he's become familiar with at Spurs - inevitably increasing the risk of injury to our players. The impact could be considerable, should Harry add to the current Spurs squad with more English players. He also might want to take some of his coaching staff with him to the England role.
It's guesswork, and things tend to look more problematic by overly dwelling on them and by inflating their consequences. The worst tends to happen in our imaginations. Besides, who's to say that the consequences wouldn't all be good? For now, it's one game and one challenge at a time, with our feet on the ground and our focus like a laser beam.
'As England coach, Harry might be inclined to use tried and tested English players'.
Hah hah. Yes, I'm correct there - he'll definitely use English players.
I’ll be watching Tottenham. Swashbuckling to maturity, strengthening our backbone without ever weakening our traditions and heritage.
..in the Olympic Stadium?
lol.
I fucking well hope not.